Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a very familiar hymn. The arrangement is a little different, but try it…
(Joni sings:)
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this, but I have a list of quadriplegics; people paralyzed in wheelchairs who can’t use their arms and legs… I have about 20 quadriplegics I regularly pray for. And you know what the most frequent prayer request is they send me? They ask, “Joni, please pray for my mother who takes care of me… or, would you please pray for my husband, he’s my sole caregiver… or, I really need prayer for the girls whose job it is to get me up in the morning and help me to bed at night.” In this prayer group one of the guys recently asked for prayer for his marriage – he and his wife have been married for over 20 years, and they have plenty of people to help, but still, his wife is shaking her head, saying, “You know what, I am so tired, I’ve had enough of this.” I can appreciate how she must feel. Life is hard for people in wheelchairs; but it’s just as hard when you’re the caregiver. So, let me take a minute here and pray… I’m going to pray for not only you listening today who might have a physical disability, but let me pray for the people who help you, okay?
“Dear Father in heaven, as I think of the cross your son endured for me, I thank you that the cross you’ve called us to bear will never, ever be heavier than you’ve designed. Our cross is exactly the right size and weight for each of us, your willing children. And daily, as we pick up our cross and follow you, bless you for more than matching the burden with grace-upon-grace. And if, at times, our hardships seem too heavy a thing to daily endure; if these struggles are too much for our caregivers, too much for our husbands or wives or children to bear, then remind us that you are there right beside us shouldering the worst of the weight of the cross. Never let us forget that you are with us through it all, whether it is us, always sitting down in a stand-up world, or whether it’s our caregivers, always tending to our needs. And please, Lord Jesus, expand our vision so that we can appreciate the influence our trust in Jesus is having on people, others who watch and learn, even from a distance. For that brings you glory and gives rich and wonderful meaning to our days. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Hey, friend, if you’re a caregiver, then it was my honor to pray for you today. And speaking of caregiving, don’t forget to visit my radio page at joniandfriends.org to pick up your copy of some caregiver tips that my mother wrote when she was taking care of me. Again, that’s joniandfriends.org. And if you would like us at Joni and Friends to pray for that person caring for you, then let us know because we love taking your needs before the throne of God’s grace.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends